Jen August 6th, 2008
I’m late! I’m late! But finished … FINALLY. There were so many pieces to this assemblage that at times I felt like a production worker. But I’m pretty pleased with the finished product, hanging problems notwithstanding. I used a LOT of the techniques learned from Steph’s book Semiprecious Salvage- etching, wrapping, wire attachments, plaster casting, resin casting, metal boxes.
Each element from l to r: Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, Wood - is housed in a small dollar store box. There is a metal box attached to the inside of each with a central …heh… element. Again, l to r: plaster cast of frog from MadRat Studio rubber, fish from Hannah Grey encased in resin, copper mesh flames with red crystal dangle for "fire", rusted nails and aged metal for "metal", and assorted wood beads set in caulking for "wood". Each element also has 5 small dangles and one larger dangle - bones/skull for earth, shells/starfish for water, burnt matches/red drop bead for fire, metal triangles/domes for metal, and sticks and wood ball for wood. There is a metal rod that goes through each box as the hanger.
I’ll be back later in the week with another challenge. Stay Tuned!
Jen July 14th, 2008
It’s been crazy busy what with the Tour de France on, training and marshalling races that it’s taken me close to 2 weeks to get back into the studio to take photos of these final projects from last month’s book work-through.
Here’s the bird bezel filled with resin and antiqued with a wash of mars black and quinacridone gold. I think this was my favourite piece of all.
This bezel ring has a small computer chip inside then filled with resin and again, antiqued with mars black and quinacridone gold. It’s a bit clunky but I still like it.
I am now working on my series of 5 elements - after the confusion, I’ve chosen Earth Wind Fire Water Wood and Metal - as my five. They will be worked on simultaneously as they will work as one unit when finished so it might be awhile before I get around to posting any photos.
On another, completely different note, word out to my son, Cliff for his tremendous performance over the weekend coming in 1st in his age group and 27th overall (beating all the Female Pros to boot!) in the inaugural 70.3 Amica Rhode Island Ironman. He’s now headed for the World Championships in Florida this November. You make me so very proud, me boy!
Jen July 7th, 2008
I screwed up. In my original Elemental series "wind" was actually Void (also characterized by sky/heaven). I don’t know where my head was at when I changed it in the post! There is also another set of 5 that includes wood & metal along with fire, water and earth. I’d suggest you choose whichever set speaks to you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Elements
Jen June 30th, 2008
I can’t believe it’s the last day of June. Where did this month fly to?!? I’m not quite through with Stephanie’s book and plan to finish but here are the latest pieces from my challenge.
Ever since seeing Jane Wynn’s awesome work, I’ve wanted to learn how to create a bezel. Here’s my first, and not so shabby, attempt. I used a piece of brass for the base and copper pipe for the actual bezel, filled with an animal molar and resin. I aged the metal with the Uzzhhh (Michael’s name for the combination of Quinacridone Gold/Black). My daughter the metalsmith said it was good. Woot!
Again, pretty proud of this one. All the chain is handmade as are most of the elements. I learned SO much from this one. I can’t tell you how stoked I am at all the techniques I’ve picked up from doing each project in this book.
This is a work in progress, as I need to fill the bezel with resin. As I was painting the plaster bird piece, it cracked. Not enough to actually break apart but it got me thinking. So I pulled it apart, painting the raw edges then glued it into the bezel. I love the crack! I have a couple more pieces still drying - a resin ring and a plaster bezel - that I’ll post when done.
It’s been a long and wonderful journey and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting everyone’s progress as they’ve worked through their books. Kudos to y’all for taking the challenge. As tomorrow is Canada Day here in, well, Canada, I will post July’s challenge on Wednesday. I’m also thinking of doing some sort of give away for all these pieces I’ve made so stay tuned for that.
